Force fun for Belarus kids

CHILDREN from Belarus have been given an exciting insight into the work of the police as part of a four-week visit to England.

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CHILDREN from Belarus have been given an exciting insight into the work of the police as part of a four-week visit to England.

Twenty-four youngsters aged between seven and 14 are staying with families in the West Midlands thanks to the work of the Chernobyl Children’s Life Line charity and four of the host families have members who are West Midlands Police officers or civilian staff.

The youngsters spent a day at WMP’s dog training centre in Balsall Common, where they met a variety of pooches from general purpose German shepherds to specialist search dogs, as well as a host of puppies.

David Raymond from the centre gave them a demonstration of a mock dog chase and officers from force traffic also came along to show the kids a selection of vehicles and technology including motorbikes and stinger devices.

Organiser Ann Beck, who raises all the money for the children’s visits herself, said: “Since 1992 over 150 ‘links’ have been established throughout the UK, raising money to support the children of Belarus and Ukraine, whose lives will be forever affected by the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986.

“Our group is just one of those and it’s fantastic to have members of West Midlands Police taking part in the scheme.

“Coming to the UK for four weeks can improve the children’s immune system and increase their life expectancy by up to two years.”

For further information about Chernobyl Children’s Life Line visit www.ccll.org.uk

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